Boris Johnson is set to slash the red list to just nine countries from 54 this week, opening up dozens more destinations for quarantine-free travel.
South Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia are among the countries where fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to stay in quarantine hotels upon their return to the UK.
The move is set to be announced in time for half-term holidays and will likely result in a surge of bookings, boosting airlines and travel companies that have been brought to their knees during the pandemic.
Boris Johnson is set to slash the red list to just nine countries from 54 this week, opening up dozens more destinations for quarantine-free travel
Brazil (pictured) is among the countries where fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to stay in quarantine hotels upon their return
Britain's current hotel quarantine policy for higher risk red list countries costs £2,285 per adult, deterring global travel.
Travel rules are already being relaxed from Monday with the amber list being scrapped, and fully vaccinated travellers no longer needing to take a Covid test before arriving from a country not on the red list.
The government has said that from later in October, arrivals in England will no longer have to take a PCR test two days after arrival and can instead opt for the cheaper lateral flow test.
According to The Sunday Telegraph, Thailand is a 'more marginal call' on whether it will remain on the red list, but Cape Verde is also expected to be given the green light.
The changes are expected to be announced on Thursday after a review of the current list.
The move is set to be announced in time for half-term holidays and will likely result in a surge of bookings to holiday destinations such as South Africa (pictured)
Travellers could still be subject to local Covid rules when arriving in their destination, but quarantine hotels on their return to the UK will be largely removed.
A Whitehall source said: 'We are
